Study Abroad and Erasmus

Study Abroad and Erasmus

Jenn talks about the prospect of studying abroad in another country when you’re already studying abroad as an international student. She interviews João Pinto from the Erasmus Student Network. Interesting fact: students who study abroad are 3x more likely to vote!

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College in Europe for Parents

In this episode, Jenn talks about threshold model of collective behavior first introduced to us in Malcolm Gladwell’s amazing podcast, Revisionist History. This theory describes how some people within a group are more comfortable than others when acting against group norms. If you’re at all interested in college in Europe, I encourage you to listen to…

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Applied Learning and Fun in The Hague

In this episode, Jenn looks are two questions: What is the social life like for international students? And what is a University of Applied Sciences? Universities of Applied Sciences focus on getting students ready to enter the workforce as opposed to the purely theoretical approach one would find at a research university. In some countries,…

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Ohio State to Deggendorf

In this episode, Jenn talks with Chelsea Workman. Chelsea started studying Philosophy at Ohio State. Although she chose an ‘affordable’ public school, the tuition, at over $10k per year, soon put financial stress on my father and meant she needed to work in addition to studying. She began racking up debt. Eventually, she dropped out, believing…

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American Exceptionalism Myth

In the US, the conventional wisdom tells us that the US academic experience is superior, but is that really the reality or is that the story we are told. In this episode, Jenn talks with Samantha Savage. Samantha received her undergraduate degree in International Studies from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She received…

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Is it Safe to Study Abroad?

At some point in the conversation about college in Europe, the question of safety comes up. People usually ask whether it’s dangerous for students to live in Europe. In this episode, Jenn explores the ideas of fear and risk and whether the reward can outweigh the risk. She talks with Ansel Mullins, who has lived…

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Affordable College in Estonia

In this episode, Jenn interviews Crystal LaGrone about her experience attending the Master’s program in e-Governance Technologies at Tallinn University of Technology in Tallinn, Estonia. Crystal’s tuition and living expenses were quite reasonable, especially since this program was exactly what she wanted to study.

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College in Europe 101

Jenn covers the basic concepts about going to college in Europe. She explains the different types of higher education institutions in Europe, the types of degree programs, along with housing and student life.

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Create your Own College Rankings

How useful are college rankings actually? What do they measure? Can you find great colleges in Europe without relying on rankings? How can you determine whether a school would be a good fit if it is not ranked? Jenn talks with Miwa Kitmura, Head of External Relations from  Vesalius College in Brussels to answer these questions and more…

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Benefit #2: Transparent Admissions Requirements

Jenn begins by touching down on the problems with the US higher education admissions processes and the increase in the number of US schools with extremely low acceptance rates.Maarten Dikhoff, an administrator from Groningen University, explains how different the admissions process is when students apply to schools in the Netherlands and Europe. The transparent and…

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Benefit #1-Affordable Tuition

This episode of the Beyond the States podcast focuses on tuition cost. Jenn presents information on the astronomical tuition in the US and related problems. She then demonstrates how tuition for the English-taught bachelor’s and master’s degree options in Europe allow an international student to pay less for her entire degree program-including travel costs- than…

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Workplace of the Future

This week’s episode certainly aligns with a common theme this season addressed by many of our guests, and that is the critical importance of cultivating “soft skills” in the up-and-coming workforce. These skills, like assertiveness, resilience, self-direction, empathy, cooperation, diversity awareness, and adaptability are simply not versed (even discouraged) in traditional education in the US….

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Life Before, During, and After College

There are some incredible university choices all around the world, including in the US. However, there is a widespread belief that the US higher education system is the best in the world. Jenn summarizes specific studies that debunk this belief. Later in the episode, Jenn and her guest discuss other aspects of studying and students’…

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Executive Functioning Skills

Jenn’s son, Sam has been struggling with implementing and sticking with organizational systems since his 5th grade. Even though the question of whether Sam suffers from ADHD remains unsolved, one is for sure, he lacks Executive Functioning skills. Therefore, in today’s episode, Jenn is joined with Jenna Prada, the creator, and director of Private Prep’s…

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Finding the Perfect Place for You

Why are certain places a perfect choice for some people but a mistake for others? Generally speaking, something doesn’t have to be “better than” or “worst than”, it can just be defined as different. Moreover, something is very rarely universally “better than” or “worse than”, rather, it is a matter of the specific person’s preferences. Whether we are talking…

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Research University vs. University of Applied Science

What are the differences between study programs at Research Universities and those at Universities of Applied Sciences? Which one prepares a student for a Master’s Degree Program and which for employment? Should we care about academy snobbery? How can you choose the best possible university for our own circumstances, and what can you expect after…

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What is College for?

Why is it important to gain insight into what college is for you as an individual? What happens if you don’t have that awareness? Moreover, what questions should you ask yourself to get that clear idea?  Jenn dives into these questions to start the episode off. Later in the episode, Jenn talks to William Deresiewicz,…

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Ellie’s Path to European College?

Jenn has an interesting announcement about the upcoming podcast interviews around studying and living abroad with some of the top-selling book authors on that matter. William Deresiewisz, Jeffrey Selingo, and Tim Leffel are unquestionably inspiring guests and Jenn is more than excited to talk to them! For now, you can check out their books, which…

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It’s Never too Late!

In today’s episode, Jenn has an interesting discussion with Tiffany, a parent of one of our members, Ethan. She became so interested in the Beyond the States process herself so that she’s amid planning admission for herself and her husband – for a Master degree program in the EU! Furthermore, Tiffany talks about how she…

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All around Europe with Anya

Welcome back to another episode of the Beyond the States podcast! In today’s interview with Jenn, Anya talks about a unique study program in Europe in which a student studies in a different city/country each year. Far away from her birthplace in Colorado, now a student in ESCP University, our guest will talk about how…

The Many Incredible Master’s Degree Options in Europe

The Many Incredible Master’s Degree Options in Europe

For our final episode of the season, Jenn dives into a discussion on the rewards of pursuing a Master’s degree in Europe. Her conversation partner this week is Sean Dempsey, a past BTS member and recent graduate of the highly-ranked KU Leuven, in Belgium. It was his study abroad semester in Spain, as an undergraduate,…

Why You Should Pursue College in Europe

Why You Should Pursue College in Europe

Full transcription of the podcast. Jenn Viemont: This is episode one of the Beyond the States podcast. Today I’m excited to share with you an overview of the benefits from getting a degree in Europe, you’ll learn that you don’t need to know another language to take advantage of affordable tuition, transparent admissions processes and life…

Is Tuition Cheap in European Colleges?

Is Tuition Cheap in European Colleges?

Full transcription of the podcast. Jenn Viemont: This is episode two of the Beyond the States podcast. Today we’ll be talking about tuition. Specifically how tuition for the English taught bachelor’s and master’s degree options in Europe allows international students to pay less for their entire degree program including travel costs than one year of tuition…

American vs European College Admissions

American vs European College Admissions

Full transcription of the podcast. Jenn Viemont: This is episode three of the Beyond the States podcast. Today our topic is admissions. After discussing some of the problems around higher education Admissions here in the US, we’ll be talking to Maarten Dikhoff from Groningen University, a top 100 school in the Netherlands about how things are…

Is it Safe to Study in Europe?

Is it Safe to Study in Europe?

Full transcription of the podcast. Intro: You’re listening to the Beyond the States podcast with Jenn Viemont. Did you know that you can go to Europe and get your entire degree taught in English for less than one year of tuition at many American schools? Jenn will take you on a deep dive into the many…

Whats My Major?

Whats My Major?

One difference between college in the US and Europe is that in Europe incoming students must apply to a specific program, so they must know what they want to study. For students who don’t know what they want to study, this aspect can lead to worry. In this podcast, Jenn announces the availability of our…

Studying and Playing Baseball in the Netherlands

Studying and Playing Baseball in the Netherlands

In this week’s episode, Jenn discusses with Adam, a US student currently studying in Rotterdam. Our guest talks about a number of his experiences beyond the States, including the fact that he plays competitive baseball in the Netherlands. Learn more about Adam’s background, how it looks like to study as an international student in Europe,…

Studying with ADHD in Europe

Studying with ADHD in Europe

Full transcription of the podcast. Intro: You’re listening to the Beyond the States podcast with Jenn Viemont. Did you know that you can go to Europe and get your entire degree taught in English for less than one year of tuition at many American schools? Jenn will take you on a deep dive into the many…

Should I go to college in Europe? We’ll help you answer this.

Should I go to college in Europe? We’ll help you answer this.

Full transcription of the podcast. Intro: You’re listening to the Beyond the States podcast with Jenn Viemont. Did you know that you can go to Europe and get your entire degree taught in English for less than one year of tuition at many American schools? Jenn will take you on a deep dive into the many…

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Research vs Applied Sciences, What’s the Difference?

What are the differences between study programs at Research Universities and those at Universities of Applied Sciences? Which one prepares a student for a Master’s Degree Program and which for employment? Should we care about academy snobbery? How can you choose the best possible university for our own circumstances, and what can you expect after…